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Hardware

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

By Bill Detwiler December 12, 2010, 10:16 PM PST on Twitter billdetwiler

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Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Cracking open the Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook

Cracking open the Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook

In December 2010, Google launched a pilot program to test and promote its Chrome OS. Through the program, the company sent specially designed Cr-48 Chrome notebooks to individuals who promised to “use it regularly and send us detailed feedback.”

We got our hands on a Cr-48 notebook and couldn’t wait to see the hardware inside. Follow along as we crack it open.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Intel inside card

Intel inside card

What do they mean IF I cracked it open. Of course I’m going to crack it open, but perhaps this card isn’t aimed at me.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Cardboard packaging

Cardboard packaging

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Cr-48, battery, and power adapter

Cr-48, battery, and power adapter

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

With lid open

With lid open

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook has a 12-inch LCD display, built-in webcam, and full-size keyboard.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Keyboard and trackpad

Keyboard and trackpad

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook has a full-size keyboard, but with some notable exceptions. For example, there is not Caps Lock key. Instead, Google has included several webcentric keys, such as Forward, Back, and Reload.

A standard trackpad rounds out the machine’s built-in input devices.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Special webcentric keys

Special webcentric keys

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook forgoes the function keys found on most machines, in favor of several webcentric ones, such as previous browser history page, next browser history page, reload, full-screen mode, next tab/window, and search.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bottom - With battery

Bottom - With battery

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bottom - Without battery

Bottom - Without battery

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Model: Mario

Model: Mario

According to various reports, Google has been internally testing Chrome OS on specially designed machines codenamed “Mario” or “Andretti”–after the famous Formula One driver Mario Andretti. Although Google is officially calling these machines the Cr-48 Chrome notebook, the Mario codename is located throughout the device. Cr-48 reportedly refers to a particularly unstable Chromium isotope.

Our test unit has the hardware ID: IEC MARIO PONY 6101

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Battery - External

Battery - External

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook’s battery has two of the unit’s rubber feet attached to its outer edge.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Battery - Label

Battery - Label

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook uses a 14.8V 58.4Whr battery.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

External power adapter and cord

External power adapter and cord

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Case screws

Case screws

Our first step in disassembling the Google’s Cr-49 chrome notebook is removing the silver and black screws accessible through the battery compartment. Thankfully they are standard Phillips screw–no annoying tamper-resistant Torx or Tri-wing screws to deal with.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Black external Phillips screws

Black external Phillips screws

There are three black screws visible in the Cr-48 Chrome notebook’s battery compartment.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Silver external Phllips screws

Silver external Phllips screws

There are seven silver screws visible in the Cr-48 Chrome notebook’s battery compartment.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Screws hidden under rubber feet

Screws hidden under rubber feet

One screw is also hidden under each of the rubber feet on the base of the Cr-48 Chrome notebook.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the bottom case panel

Removing the bottom case panel

With the screws removed, you can remove the Cr-48’s bottom case panel. You’ll need to use a plastic case opening tool, thin metal blade, or a very strong finger nail to pop the bottom panel’s plastic tabs loose from the upper panel.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bottom panel removed

Bottom panel removed

Removing the bottom case panel pgives us our first look inside the Cr-48 Chrome notebook.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bottom case panel - Internal

Bottom case panel - Internal

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bottom case panel removed

Bottom case panel removed

At first glance, the inside of the Cr-48 reminds me of the 13-inch MacBook Air. The Cr-48 has a rectangular motherboard at the back near the lid hinges and an SSD instead of a traditional hard drive.

Let’s look at the SSD first.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SanDisk 16GB SSD (SDSA4DH-016G)

SanDisk 16GB SSD (SDSA4DH-016G)

Our Cr-48 Chrome notebook had a 16GB Sandisk SSD (SDSA4DH-016G), which was mounted in a spot that looks like it could have been used to house a traditional laptop hard drive. In contrast, the MacBook Air’s SDD is attached directly to the motherboard.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the SSD

Removing the SSD

A single Phillips screw holds the SanDisk SSD in place.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SanDisk SSD - Top

SanDisk SSD - Top

With the stickers removed from the SanDisk SSD, we get a better look at the drive’s chips. The controller chip and an 8GB memory chip are located on the top of the SSD.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SanDisk SSD - Bottom

SanDisk SSD - Bottom

A single memory ship is located on the bottom of the SanDisk SSD.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SanDisk SSD controller

SanDisk SSD controller

This chip is the SanDisk SSD’s controller. It has the following markings:

20-82-00253-2
S039-P3X398.00
SDC1
TAIWAN

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SanDisk SSD 8GB memory chip

SanDisk SSD 8GB memory chip

The SanDisk SDD in our Cr-48 Chrome notebook had two, 8GB memory chips with the following markings:

S04231212
SDTNNMBHSM-008G

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Samsung 2GB 1Rx8 PC3 RAM

Samsung 2GB 1Rx8 PC3 RAM

Our Cr-48 machine contained a single Samsung 2GB 1Rx8 PC3-10600S memory module. Given that the Chrome notebook is designed to run application from the web, I can understand why Google would only include 2GB of RAM. Still, it would have been nice to see 4GB.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Qualcomm Gobi2000 wireless card

Qualcomm Gobi2000 wireless card

As previously noted, the Cr-48 Chrome notebook comes with two years of free access to Verizon’s 3G network in the US. This Qualcomm Gobi2000 card provides that access. According Qualcomm, the “Gobi2000 delivers multi-mode 3G mobile Internet access on either HSPA or CDMA2000 EV-DO networks.”

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the Qualcomm Gobi2000 wireless card

Removing the Qualcomm Gobi2000 wireless card

To remove the Qualcomm Gobi2000 wireless card, you’ll need to disconnect the two antenna cables and remove a single Phillips screw.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Qualcomm Gobi2000 EMI shields

Qualcomm Gobi2000 EMI shields

The chips on the Gobi2000 card are protected by EMI shields. We’ll need to pop these shields offer to see the chips.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Qualcomm Gobi2000 card chips

Qualcomm Gobi2000 card chips

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Qualcomm MDM2000 chipset

Qualcomm MDM2000 chipset

On the underside of the Qualcomm Gobi2000 card is a large chip for the Qualcomm MDM2000 chipset.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

USB port and headphone jack PCB

USB port and headphone jack PCB

The next target in our teardown of the Cr-48 is the small PCB that contains the USB port and headphone jack.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Disconnecting the ribbon cable

Disconnecting the ribbon cable

To remove the USB port and headphone jack PCB, we will need to disconnect the thin ribbon cable the connects it to the motherboard and remove three Phillips screws that hold it in place.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Power port screw

Power port screw

One of the screws that hold the small USB/headphone PCB in place also helps hold the power port in place. I’ll go ahead and remove the second power port screw to make removing the small PCB easier.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

USB/headphone PCB and power port cover

USB/headphone PCB and power port cover

With all the screws removed and the ribbon cable disconnected, you can lift the small PCB away from the Cr-48’s case. I also removed the small metal bracket that covers the power port.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

USB port and headphone jack PCB - Top

USB port and headphone jack PCB - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Realtek RTS5138 USB controller

Realtek RTS5138 USB controller

Realtek RTS5138 USB controller

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Misc. chip with markings M414 G547G1

Misc. chip with markings M414 G547G1

Misc. chip with markings M414 G547G1

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

USB port and headphone jack PCB - Bottom

USB port and headphone jack PCB - Bottom

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 Mini PCI-Express 802.11 a/b/g/n module

Azurewave AW-NE773 Mini PCI-Express 802.11 a/b/g/n module

The Cr-48 Chrome notebook has an Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi. It’s located under the thin ribbon cable the connects the small USB/headphone PCN to the motherboard. To remove the card, you’ll need to disconnect the two antenna cables and remove a single Phillips screw. Now is also a good time to remove the thin ribbon cable from the motherboard.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module - Top

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module - Bottom

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module - Bottom

The AW-NE773 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless Mini PCI-Express Module is likely the latest version Azzurewave AW-NE770 module.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module EMI shields removed

Azurewave AW-NE773 Wi-Fi module EMI shields removed

With the EMI shields removed, we can see a few of the chips on the AW-NE773 module. From their markings, all the chips appear to have been manufactured by Atmel.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 - Chip

Azurewave AW-NE773 - Chip

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Azurewave AW-NE773 - Misc. chips

Azurewave AW-NE773 - Misc. chips

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the speaker screws

Removing the speaker screws

Each speaker is held in place by two Phllips screws.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Speaker connector

Speaker connector

The Y-shaped speaker wire assembly connected to the Cr-48’s motherboard via a single connector. You’ll need to disconnect the wires before removing the speakers.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Speaker assembly

Speaker assembly

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bluetooth transceiver and cable

Bluetooth transceiver and cable

The Cr-48’s bluetooth transceiver is attached to the front of the case and connected to the motherboard by a silver cable.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the Bluetooth transceiver

Removing the Bluetooth transceiver

The small PCB that contains the Bluetooth transceiver simply clips onto the front of the Cr-48’s case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bluetooth transceiver and cable

Bluetooth transceiver and cable

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

"Mario" name on Bluetooth cable

"Mario" name on Bluetooth cable

“Mario” crops up again on a small label attached to the Cr-48’s Bluetooth cable.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bluetooth transceiver PCB - Front

Bluetooth transceiver PCB - Front

The EMI shield on the small Bluetooth PCB is soldered in place. I won’t be removing this one.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Bluetooth transceiver PCB - back

Bluetooth transceiver PCB - back

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Various motherboard connectors

Various motherboard connectors

You’ll also need to detach any cables that remain connected to the Cr-48’s motherboard. Here are the connectors from the SSD and the touchpad.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Cooling fan and display connectors

Cooling fan and display connectors

Under these pieces of black tape are connectors for the cooling fan and one of the display cables. You’ll need to disconnect both. Be very careful when disconnecting the display cable. It has several very thin blue wires that could easily break.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Interior metal frame

Interior metal frame

A thin metal frame is attached to the front (lower in this photo) edge of the Cr-48. It covers the back of the touchpad and also holds the touchpad and SSD cables. It is held to the case with nine Phillips screws.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

SSD connector screws

SSD connector screws

As the SSD ribbon cable is glued to the metal frame, you’ll also need to remove the two screws which hold the SSD connector to the plastic case.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Internal metal frame removed

Internal metal frame removed

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Keyboard screws

Keyboard screws

The keyboard is held in place with several Phillips screws. Three are located at the top of the keyboard near the Cr-48 lid’s hinge and two are located on either side.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Remove the wireless antennas

Remove the wireless antennas

You’ll also need to remove the black tape that holds the Wi-Fi and 3G antennas to the underside of the keyboard. You can leave the power port connected if you like.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Lid hinge screws

Lid hinge screws

You’ll also need to remove the Cr-48’s lid hinge screws before removing the keyboard.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Keyboard - Top

Keyboard - Top

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Keyboard - Bottom

Keyboard - Bottom

As noted, I left the power port and cable connected to the bottom of the keyboard.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Without keyboard

Without keyboard

With the keyboard removed, we can move on to the Cr-48’s lid and display.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Rubber cable holders

Rubber cable holders

You’ll need to remove two small rubber cable holders (one on each side) before removing the lid/display. With the holders removed and the hinges bent back, you should be able to lift the Cr-48’s upper case panel away from the lid/display assembly.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Case top panel - External

Case top panel - External

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Case top panel and touchpad - Internal

Case top panel and touchpad - Internal

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Touchpad - Internal

Touchpad - Internal

A metal plate covers most of the back of the Cr-48’s touchpad. Both the plate and touchpad are held to the case top panel with plastic rivets. It looks like replacing the touchpad requires a whole new case top panel.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Lid and display assembly

Lid and display assembly

Now, let’s look at the lid and display assembly.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the lid hinge cover

Removing the lid hinge cover

Our first step in cracking open the Cr-48’s lid is removing the plastic piece that covers the hinge screws. It’s held in place with plastic tabs. You should be able to pop it loose from the lid using a case opening tool, thin metal blade, or your finger nail (if they’re strong enough).

With the hinge cover removed, you can also remove the Phillips screws that hold the hinges to the lid.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Removing the lid/display bezel

Removing the lid/display bezel

Using a thin metal blade, I was able to pop loose the plastic bezel that surround the display screen. Unfortunately, I damaged a few of the plastic clips that

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Lid without front bezel

Lid without front bezel

With the Cr-48 Chrome notebook’s front bezel removed, we can see the display mounting, antenna wires, and webcam assembly.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Webcam

Webcam

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Antenna contacts

Antenna contacts

These two solder points connect with a small magnet mounted in the front bezel. The appear to be for one of the Cr-48’s antenna wires.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Texas Instruments (BQ24740) Multi-Cell Synchronous Switch-mode Battery Charger

Texas Instruments (BQ24740) Multi-Cell Synchronous Switch-mode Battery Charger

Texas Instruments (BQ24740) Multi-Cell Synchronous Switch-mode Battery Charger

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Winbond W25Q32BV (4MB) Serial Flash memory

Winbond W25Q32BV (4MB) Serial Flash memory

Winbond W25Q32BV (4MB) Serial Flash memory

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Winbond W25X10BV (1MB) Serial Flash memory

Winbond W25X10BV (1MB) Serial Flash memory

Winbond W25X10BV (1MB) Serial Flash memory

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Fairchild Semiconductor (FDS6690AS) 30V N-Channel PowerTrench SyncFET

Fairchild Semiconductor (FDS6690AS) 30V N-Channel PowerTrench SyncFET

Fairchild Semiconductor (FDS6690AS) 30V N-Channel PowerTrench SyncFET

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Another Texas Instruments chip

Another Texas Instruments chip

This Texas Instruments chip is likely another linear voltage regulator.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Realtek ALC272 High Definition Audio Codec

Realtek ALC272 High Definition Audio Codec

Realtek ALC272 High Definition Audio Codec

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Yet another Texas Instruments chip

Yet another Texas Instruments chip

Texas Instruments chips with markings:

AKS TI 9CW ZH10

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Integrated Device Technology 9LRS3165 PC clock

Integrated Device Technology 9LRS3165 PC clock

Integrated Device Technology 9LRS3165 PC clock

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

ITE Tech. IT8500E embedded controller

ITE Tech. IT8500E embedded controller

This ITE Tech. IT8500E 1018-BXA DCDM0B L chip is likely and earlier version of the company’s IT8510E embedded controller.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Infineon SLB 9635 TT 1.2 TPM Security Chip

Infineon SLB 9635 TT 1.2 TPM Security Chip

Infineon SLB 9635 TT 1.2 Trusted Mobile Platform (TPM) Security Chip

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Intel Atom processor

Intel Atom processor

Instead of thermal paste, the Cr-48’s CPU is covered with a phase change thermal pad. These are increasingly common in both laptops and mobile devices. Let’s remove the pad for a better look at the CPU.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook teardown

Intel Atom processor N455 (1.66GHz, 512K Cache)

Intel Atom processor N455 (1.66GHz, 512K Cache)

The Google Cr-48 Chrome notebook has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom processor N455 (with 512K Cache). This chip is similar to the Intel Atom D510 found in the ZOTAC ZBOX mini-PC we cracked open in October. But, the D510 has two cores and a 1MB cache.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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